N421m whistle-blower cash ready for payment –Finance minister

The Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, has said a total of N421.33m is prepared to be paid to whistle-blowers for the November batch.

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She said the amount included that of the whistle-blower for the money recovered from a building in Osborne Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Adeosun disclosed this on Wednesday while answering questions from State House correspondents, when the weekly meeting of the Federal executive council presided over by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

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She said the cash would be paid to the whistle-blower who signed the agreement and not any firm.

The minister also disclosed that the federal government would pay applicable taxes on the sum directly to the state government where the whistle-blower is domiciled.

She said, “The total amount, that also include Osborne Road, Ikoyi is N421, 330, 595. this is for the November batch and it’s prepared for payment.

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“The only condition necessary is that the cash will be paid to the whistle-blower who signed the agreement, to not any company.

“If we get the court judgement, we’ve to wait for 3 months to make sure that there are no encumbrances.”

She added, “We will also ensure that all applicable taxes are paid ahead. we’ll get in touch with the authorities where the person is domiciled and we can pay the tax directly to the state and issue the tax receipt.

“We built in these procedures to guard the whistle-blower.”